Margate Man Convicted In Fatal 2002 Shooting

November 20, 2004|By Jon Burstein Staff Writer

Frank "Biker Joe" Piacitelli shook his head in disgust Friday as a Broward Circuit Court jury convicted him of killing one man and leaving a second paralyzed after shooting them outside a Fort Lauderdale beachside restaurant.

"Convicted an innocent man," Piacitelli said in a flat voice, glaring at the jurors who found him guilty of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder.

The six-man, six-woman jury returns to the courthouse Dec. 16 and will recommend to Broward Circuit Court Judge Paul Backman whether the 48-year-old Margate man deserves a death sentence or life behind bars.

Prosecutors argued that Piacitelli, a drug dealer, ambushed Guy Sharpe and Rob Smith outside a Denny's restaurant near the Galt Ocean Mile on June 25, 2002, because he was convinced that Sharpe was a government informant. Sharpe died after getting shot in the head, chest and left arm, while Smith was left paralyzed.

Piacitelli's friend, Louis Demarco, lured Sharpe and Smith to the parking lot where Demarco opened fire from a car and Piacitelli sprang out from behind a trash bin and started shooting, prosecutor Howard Scheinberg argued. Demarco, of Dania Bach, is awaiting trial.

Smith, 40, testified that he was absolutely certain Piacitelli was one of the men who shot him. Smith had socialized with Piacitelli several times before the shooting.

Piacitelli's attorneys argued that there was no way he could have planned and participated in the shooting because he had prostate surgery just four days before. In addition, witness descriptions didn't match Piacitelli, and Smith's testimony was riddled with inconsistencies, argued defense attorney Ed Salantrie.

After the verdict, Piacitelli's attorneys informed Backman that their client didn't wish to present any evidence at the December hearing to persuade jurors against giving him a death sentence. Christopher Pole, Piacitelli's other attorney, declined to discuss why the father of two is apparently refusing to fight for his life.

Jon Burstein can be reached at jburstein@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-4491.